Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. push for NASCAR Playoff change amid current unrest

As talk about a potential change to NASCAR‘s playoff format continues to take over the sport as the playoffs near, Denny Hamlin has offered his take. He’s in favor of a tweak.

The way the championship is currently set up, the drivers who qualify for the playoffs battle through multiple rounds of competition, thinning out the herd. Then the final four drivers compete in one championship race.

Denny Hamlin would like to see the round format continue to the championship. He explained why on the Dale Jr. Download this week.

“I think that that would reward the better champion,” he said simply. “Not that there’s been a champion that’s not been deserving, but it’s certainly the bigger the sample size that you give it’s going to be more indicative of your top drivers that perform week in, week out like you talk about. Not just one particular week.”

Denny Hamlin himself has yet to win a NASCAR Cup Series championship, with his highest finish coming in 2010, a second-place result. He has consistently been in the playoff field, though.

For drivers like him that are generally more consistent, a championship round could lead to improved results. Hamlin’s all for it.

“I certainly would be in favor of a championships round,” he said. “You have all the other rounds, why not a championship round? I think there’s enough compelling stories that TV could make it work.”

Denny Hamlin also pointed out another perk of having a full championship round, rather than just a championship race. The interest it creates would be through the roof.

“I think it’s good for the cities that are a part of that,” he said. “If you had three, five, 10… I don’t know how many races this would be. But certainly it’s going to open up the possibility of the cities getting a round being a part of that championship round, and hopefully the fan turnout (is better) as well.”